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| United States Patent
|
4,323,249 |
| Brady |
April 6, 1982 |
Board game apparatus
Abstract
A game device consisting of a playing board having a "driving"
track around the center of the board. The board has multiple lanes,
each divided into successive discrete areas bearing players'
instructions. The game also includes at least one listing, adapted
to have numbered tokens placed thereon, of numbered "defensive
driving" tactics. Playing pieces are provided including pieces in
the form of cars for movement around the "driving" track in
accordance with the roll of a die and game instructions. The players
"solve" a plurality of picture cards, each depicting a unique
traffic situation calling for certain of the said listed "defensive
driving" tactics; and consecutively numbered tokens are provided for
selection of the correct tactics in the correct order; and
instruction cards are provided for use depending upon the
correctness of tactics selected by the player.
| Inventors: |
Brady; Hugh D.
(Prescott, AZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
06/159,966 |
| Filed: |
June 16, 1980 |
| Current U.S.
Class: |
273/249 ;
273/302 |
| Current
International Class: |
A63F
9/18 (20060101); A63F 3/04 (20060101); A63F 3/00 (20060101);
A63F 003/00 (); A63F 009/18 () |
| Field of
Search: |
273/236,242,243,248,249,256,257,259,246,244,302
434/305,335,350,347 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent
Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pinkham; Richard C.
Assistant Examiner: Brown; Scott L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Stoneman; Martin L.
Claims
I claim:
1. Board game apparatus comprising:
(a) one or more playing boards including playing areas;
(b) means dividing said playing areas into at least two sectors;
(c) the first said sector being a "driving" track around the center
of a said board, said driving track including a plurality of
"driving" lanes;
(d) first means partitioning each said driving lane into a plurality
of first discrete areas, the number of said first discrete areas in
each said lane being equal;
(e) second means partitioning the second said sector into a
plurality of second discrete areas;
(f) a plurality of second indicia means that identify each said
second discrete area, each said second indicia means including a
unique tactic number in association with a unique described
"defensive driving" tactic;
(g) a first plurality of illustrations, each said illustration
depicting a unique vehicle traffic driving situation from the point
of view of the driver, and, in association with each said
illustration, a listing of the corresponding preferred "defensive
driving" tactics called for by said unique vehicle traffic driving
situation;
(h) at least two pluralities of game instruction cards, each
plurality being adapted to be shuffled and stacked;
(i) a plurality of playing pieces adapted to be received in said
first discrete areas, each said playing piece being visually
distinguishable from each other said playing piece;
(j) a plurality of tokens adapted to be received in said second
discrete areas;
(k) token indicia means for uniquely identifying and numbering each
said token consecutively; and
(l) at least one die.
2. The board game apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said
illustration comprises a picture card of the type adapted to be
shuffled and stacked in association with other said picture cards.
3. The board game apparatus of claim 2 wherein the front of each
said picture card depicts a unique vehicle traffic driving
situation.
4. The board game apparatus of claim 3 wherein the back of each said
picture card includes said listing of the corresponding preferred
"defensive driving" tactics called for by said unique vehicle
traffic driving situation.
5. The board game apparatus of claim 4 wherein said listing
includes, in association with each said corresponding preferred
"defensive driving" tactic, a said unique tactic number.
6. The board game apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said
corresponding preferred "defensive driving" tactic in said listing
on said back of said picture card includes, in association
therewith, a first identifying unique consecutive number
corresponding to the order in which each said corresponding
preferred "defensive driving" tactic in said listing is preferred to
be taken as called for by said unique vehicle traffic driving
situation depicted on said front of said picture card.
7. The board game apparatus of claim 6 wherein each said front of
each respective said picture card includes a plurality of "hint"
numbers, said plurality of "hint" numbers including at least each
said unique tactic number associated with each said corresponding
preferred "defensive driving" tactic in said listing on the back of
each said respective picture card.
8. The board game apparatus of claim 7 wherein each picture card
comprising said first plurality of illustrations includes a second
indentifying unique consecutive number on the said front of each
said picture card.
9. The board game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first said
sector is included on a first playing board and said second said
sector is included on a second playing board separate from said
first said playing board.
10. The board game apparatus of claim 9 wherein said second said
playing board comprises the lid of a tray adapted and arranged to
hold sorted accoutrements associated with the said board game
apparatus.
Description
CL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a game device.
More particularly, the invention concerns a board game device of the
type including tokens for movement along a designated "track" by
each of multiple players.
In a further aspect, the invention concerns a board game device
suitable for play by adolescents and adults and designed for
instruction in defensive driving tactics while entertaining the
players.
Among the board games of the prior art utilizing the movement by
players' pieces along sequential areas of a "track" is the game of
Monopoly. The combination of chance produced by the throw of a die,
and of the skills and learning of financial and investment matters
which enable a "win" has been found useful, popular, and longlasting
by the playing populace.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an
improved game device.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a board
game apparatus adapted for use as a skill game between two or more
players.
Still another object is to provide a game device including elements
of both chance and skill and providing education for the players in
defensive driving skills in traffic situations.
Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision
of a board game apparatus of the above type having a high degree of
interest and skill for use by the players, which is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture, and which has a high degree of
durability and serviceability.
Briefly, to accomplish the desired objectives of the present
invention in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, there
is provided a game comprising one or more playing boards; means
dividing the playing boards into at least two sectors, the first
sector being a "driving" track around the center of a board, the
track including a plurality of "driving" lanes. There is included a
first means partitioning each lane into a plurality of first
discrete areas, the number of these discrete areas in each lane
being equal. A second means partitions a second sector of said one
or more playing boards into a plurality of second discrete areas. A
plurality of second indicia means is provided for identifying each
second discrete area, each second indicia means including a unique
number in association with a unique described "driving" tactic.
There is also provided a first plurality of illustrations, each said
illustration depicting a unique traffic situation, and, in
association with each said illustration, a listing of the
corresponding "defensive driving" tactics called for by said unique
traffic situation. Also provided are at least two pluralities of
game instruction cards, each plurality being adapted to be shuffled
and stacked. Further provided are a plurality of playing pieces
adapted to be received in the first discrete areas, each playing
piece being visually distinguishable from each other playing piece.
Further provided are a plurality of tokens adapted to be received in
the second discrete areas; token indicia means for uniquely
identifying and numbering each token consecutively; and at least one
die. The said one or more playing boards further may include
assigned areas for stacking the said pluralities of game instruction
cards and other assigned areas for holding playing pieces which are
instructed to be removed from the "driving" lanes.
Further, according to a highly preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided, in addition to a first playing board
having the said first sector (the "driving" track), a plurality of
second playing boards each having thereon a said second sector and
comprising the lid of a tray constructed, divided, and arranged to
hold any game materials of a player of the instant game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further and more specific objects and advantages of the present
invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection
with the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the surface of a preferred embodiment of
the playing board of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a pictorial view illustrating a preferred form of a
playing piece of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a pictorial view illustrating a preferred form of a token
of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a plan view for purposes of illustration of a sample
preferred picture card of the present invention showing the front
side thereof;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reverse side of the picture card of
FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 illustrates other preferred materials for the possession of
each player;
FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the playing board of the present
invention illustrating the manner in which the same may be folded;
FIG. 8 illustrates the fronts of the various illustration cards of
the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a die as used in the present
invention;
FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of the tray of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred tray insert or divider of the
present invention;
FIG. 12 illustrates a slide projector used in accordance with the
present invention; and
FIG. 13 illustrates a timer used in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to the drawings, in which the reference numerals
indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1
shows a preferred embodiment of the playing board 21 of the present
invention. The playing board 21 includes thereon a "driving" track
22, as shown, having two lanes 23 and 24. Lane 23, as shown,
includes discrete areas 25 containing game instructions. Similarly,
lane 24 includes discrete areas 26, which discrete areas 26 include
also game instructions. The "driving" track 22 constitutes a first
sector of playing board 21.
A second sector of playing board 21 is comprised by a listing area
27, which listing area 27 is essentially duplicated, as shown, on
each side of playing board 21. Each listing area 27 includes a
plurality of indicia 28, preferably in the form of numbers, each
number 28 being associated with a "driving" tactic set out in each
discrete area 29. Each listing area 27 is constructed so as to fold
upwardly along its edge with the main part of playing board 21.
Again, with reference to playing board 21, if desired, a playing
board area within driving track 22 may be reserved, as shown, as for
a picture card area 30 and instruction card areas 31, 32, 33 and 34
within the central area 35 of playing board 21.
Examples of the preferred playing pieces 36 and 37 of the present
invention are shown with particularity in FIG. 2, while FIG. 3 more
particularly illustrates a preferred form of token 38, each token 38
bearing on its upper surface a numeral, for exmaple, as shown, the
numeral "4" at 39 and the numeral "5" at 40. The set of tokens 38
used by each player is consecutively numbered from the numeral 1.
With particular reference to FIG. 4, there is shown a representative
picture card 41 in accordance with the present invention. The front
side of said picture card 41 (shown in FIG. 4) bears an illustration
depicting a unique traffic situation. In its preferred form, the
face of picture card 41 also bears a statement 42 relating to or
describing said unique traffic situation and a further statement 43
setting forth certain numbered choices among the "driving" tactics
at locations 29 on listings 27 and the preferred number of actions
required. The statement 43 in effect constitutes "hints" and is an
optional statement helpful to the average non-sophisticated game
player. FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred form for the rear side of
picture card 41, showing by list (at 44) that "driving" tactic 18
should be done first, then showing (at 45) that "driving" tactic 3
should be performed second and, similarly (at 46) that "driving"
tactic 5 should be done thirdly. Thus the rear face of picture card
41 contains the entire "right" answer for selection of defensive
driving tactics when presented with the unique driving situation
shown on the front face of picture card 41.
FIG. 6 illustrates other preferred items which are part of the game
in the present invention, including play money 47, tokens 48 (for
detail see tokens 38 in FIG. 3), "house" 49, insurance policy 50,
drivers license point card 51, and "mortgage" 52.
FIG. 7 illustrates the mechanism and ease with which a preferred
playing board 21 of the present invention, as shown in detail in
FIG. 1, may fold for storage. It is seen that answer boards 27 fold
inwardly and upwardly over the central area 35 of playing board 21
and that playing board 21 may be further folded as shown down the
middle of central area 35.
FIG. 8 specifically illustrates instruction cards 53, 54, 55 and 56
of the present invention (which cards may be adapted to be stacked
respectively in spaces 31, 32, 33 and 34.
FIG. 9 illustrates the die 57 of the present invention, of standard
form, and showing spots 58.
With specific reference to FIG. 10 there is illustrated a preferred
form of answer board 27, each answer board 27 forming the lid of
hollow answer board tray 59 and being hingedly connected at 60
therewith. Tray divider 61 (FIG. 11) is placed within answer board
tray 59 and is divided so as to be adapted conveniently to hold the
money, and other game accoutrements of each player. FIGS. 12 and 13
illustrate respectively a slide viewer 62 which may be used to
project illustrations corresponding to those on the faces of picture
card 41 and, in alternation the "answers" on the backs of cards 41,
and timer 63 to be used by the more sophisticated players according
to the present invention.
According to the preferred rules, the game of the preferred
invention may be played by two, three or four players. After the
playing board has been set up, the game material is distributed.
Each player is given a tray (see FIGS. 10 and 11) which should
contain the following: 1--set of picture cards, 8--drivers license
point cards, 1--motor vehicle, 1--house, 5--indicator tokens or
pegs, 1--insurance policy, 3--mortgage contracts, and play money as
follows: 3--500's, 5--100's, 10--50's, 20--20's, 20--10's, and
20--5's. (The drivers license point cards are to be given to the
game officer before play starts. )
Next the game officer and the first player are to be selected. This
is done by each player rolling the die, and the player rolling the
highest number becomes the first player, and the player to his left
becomes the game officer.
The game officer is given the point cards and trays containing the
defensive driver cards, one action missed cards, two or more actions
missed cards, all actions correct-not in proper sequence cards, and
also the balance of the play money.
Each player should place his tray at the edge of the playing board
because the lid of the tray is his answer board upon which he will
place his indicator tokens or pegs at the proper time during play.
Each player should make sure that his stack of picture cards are in
numerical order with the picture side up. It is suggested that
numbers be situated in the lower righthand corner of each card.
Play always moves from left to right.
To begin play, the first player places his vehicle in the lane he
selects at the start position. (Each player in turn must do the same
when it is his turn to start. ) The first player then rolls the die
and moves his vehicle forward the number of spaces indicated by the
die. The player then follows the instructions given in the space
upon which his vehicle comes to rest. (This may involve more than
one space.)
After the player's vehicle has stopped on a space and the player has
complied with the instructions, the player continues play by taking
the top picture card from his stack of picture cards. (The player
must not look at nor expose the reverse side of the picture card
while he is examining the traffic scene, as the answers would be
revealed.) As the player examines the traffic scene shown on the
picture card, he is to determine what actions he would take in this
particular situation if he was operating the vehicle from which the
picture was taken. To assist the player, the number of actions he
would be required to take is shown on the face of the picture card,
as is also a series of numbers (these numbers correspond to the
numbers on the player's answer board). The player selects what he
believes to be the correct actions, in correct sequence, and places
his indicator pegs on his answer board accordingly, peg number 1 on
the first action required, peg number 2 on the second action
required, etc.
After all the required indicator pegs have been placed, the player
then looks at the correct answers on the reverse side of the picture
card and compares them with the ones he selected on his answer
board, checking not only for correctness, but also for the proper
sequence.
The player is then given the proper instruction card by the game
officer according to the results of the player's selection of
answers, either a defensive driver card if all actions are correct
and in proper sequence, a one action missed card, a two or more
actions missed card, or an all actions correct--not in proper
sequence card. After the player complies with the instructions on
the card, his turn at play stops, and the second player begins his
turn.
Once a player selects the lane for his vehicle, the vehicle must
stay in the lane unless the vehicle stops on a change lanes space,
or the player has in his possession a change lanes card, and desires
to change lanes. When a player uses a change lanes card he must
surrender the card to the game officer. Change lanes cards may be
purchased by one player from another player. The price to be
determined by the two players involved.
Each player in his turn must follow the instructions given on an
instruction card or by the instructions given in a space a vehicle
stops upon, unless the player has in his possession a card that will
permit him to take some alternate action.
If a player is instructed to move his vehicle ahead a certain number
of spaces and his vehicle is blocked by another player's vehicle in
that lane, he may change lanes if he has a change lanes card, or he
must stop his vehicle in the space directly behind the vehicle
ahead. If this space is a change lanes space he can then change
lanes and move his vehicle ahead the proper number of spaces.
(Changing lanes does not count as a space moved.)
When a player is instructed to go to a specific place, e.g. the
hospital, the drivers school, or the traffic court, and this
requires that his vehicle be moved forward, the player must do so
even if there are vehicles ahead of his vehicle.
When a player is instructed to move his vehicle backward, he does so
regardless of any vehicles behind his vehicle, except that he cannot
stop his vehicle on a space occupied by another vehicle, but must
stop on the space ahead of the blocking vehicle. If this is not
possible due to several vehicles being in that lane, he must move
his vehicle back to the first available space behind the blocking
vehicles.
When any points are issued against a player's drivers license, the
game officer gives the proper number of point cards, in the proper
color, to the player. When any points are removed, the player
returns the proper number of cards to the game officer.
When a player is instructed to pay a certain amount of money, he
pays this to the game officer, or the other players if this is
specified. The player is paid by the game officer any amount of
money the player is to collect, or he may collect from the other
players if this is specified.
If a player has used all of his money and needs more, he may
mortgage his "house" by surrendering a mortgage contract to the game
officer who will give the player the amount of money the contract
calls for. If the player's finances change and the player wishes to
do so, he may repay the money to the game officer and redeem his
mortgage contract.
When a player's insurance policy is cancelled, the player must give
his insurance policy to the game officer. If the player's insurance
is re-instated, the game officer returns the insurance policy to the
player.
If a player receives 8 points against his driver's license he is out
of the game.
When a player arrives near "home", he must roll the exact number on
the die as the number of spaces he must move to get into the home
space. Any number rolled on the die that is in excess of the number
of spaces the player must move to get into the home space is void,
and the player's vehicle remains stationary. The player must,
however, complete his turn at play and select a picture card and
abide by the results of the rest of his play.
The game is not over until all the players have reached home,
because the object of this game is not so much to reach home
quickly, but to reach home in the best possible condition. However,
in the event of a tie score, the player reaching home first would be
the winner over the other player.
Any player who uses all his mortgage contracts and all his play
money and cannot meet a monetary obligation is out of the game.
The score of each player is tallied according to the following
preferred tally sheet:
______________________________________ PLAYERS DRIVERS LICENSE
______________________________________ If no Points Score 50 1 Point
Score 40 2 Points Score 30 3 Points Score 20 4 Points Score 10 5
Points Score 0 PLAYERS INSURANCE POLICY
______________________________________ Insurance Policy in force
Score 50 Insurance Policy cancelled Score 0 FINANCIAL CONDITION
______________________________________ for every $100 possessed by a
player (any amount less than $100 does not score) Score 1 For every
$100 owed by a player (any amount less than $100 is not computed)
Deduct 1 MORTGAGES ______________________________________ For any
outstanding $1,000 mortagage Deduct 1 For any outstanding $3,000
mortgage Deduct 2 For any outstanding $5,000 mortgage Deduct 3
______________________________________
As the players become more knowledgeable of defensive driving
techniques, a timer should be used to limit the time allowed the
player to examine the picture cards and select his answers.
The preferred game of the present invention may be made more complex
in several ways. For example, each player may use two cars instead
of one and, according to the preferred set of rules, the player
would have the choice of moving either one car or both cars so long
as the total number of spaces moved did not exceed the number rolled
on the die (or the number of spaces specified by the game
instruction cards). It is preferred in this event that only one car
may be moved to comply with the instructions given in a space such
car may come to rest upon.
According to the preferred rules, if the players desire, they may
add another element, for example, for more complexity as follows.
When each player begins his turn at play, each other player may
wager as to the outcome of the correctness of answer selected to the
traffic situation on the picture card selected by the player at
turn. This may be done by each other player who wishes to wager
placing a marker, say, on a stack of game instruction cards believed
to correspond to the correctness of answer selected by the player at
turn. Then, for example, any player whose marker is on the correct
stack would receive $100 from the game officer and the players whose
markers are on any other stack must pay the game officer $100 (or
any amount of wager which is determined by all players at the start
of the game).
With respect to the education value over and above the entertainment
value of the preferred game, it is highly preferred that the picture
cards used with the game show common dangerous traffic situations
from the driver's view point and that the numbered indicia means
(that is, the choices for driver action) include most of the common
defensive driving techniques, including but not limited to: let
vehicle behind pass you; eliminate obstruction to view of traffic
ahead; stop well behind any large vehicle ahead of you; eliminate
tailgater; center your vehicle in your lane; tap horn; increase
distance between you and the vehicle ahead; scan parked vehicles for
occupants; scan intersection; start right turn as far to the right
as possible; get foot over brake; flash brake lights as a warning;
check rearview mirror; check blindspot; allow vehicle on left or
right to move into your lane; etc.
As the game of the present invention is used in its preferred form,
each player, while being entertained, will greatly increase that
player's defensive driving skills resulting in the incorporation
into each player's everyday driving of more skillful and more safe
operation of a motor vehicle.
It is further more particularly pointed out that the unique,
entertaining, and educational values of the board game apparatus of
the present invention are due in large part to the unique
combination of chance and skill provided by each turn, according to
the preferred set of rules, resulting in a chance instruction
obtained from the board by rolling a die and a further instruction
(which improves with the skill of the player) being selected
according to the skill of the player in determining the sequence and
type of appropriate defensive driving skills to be applied to the
traffic situation on the picture card selected.
The present embodiment of this invention is to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced thereby.
* * * * *
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